Bandra Worli sea link to be ready by Apr'08

Mumbai, Nov 12 (UNI) Nearly 35 per cent of the work on Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL) project has been completed and the 5.6 km long flyover with 16 lanes will be ready by April 2008 at a total cost of Rs 1,306 crore, Maharashtra PWD Minister Anil Deshmukh said here today.

The project is very significant as it will link Mumbai city with western suburbs and will reduce the load over Mahim causeway, the only route linking the two areas. The route is used by 1.40 lakh vehicles every day.

PWD minister Anil Deshmukh told reporters, who visited the construction site, that with the help of the 1,600-tonne crane Asian Hercules, launching girders has become more easier and the work would be completed in just four days. He said otherwise at least six months would have been required for this task.

He said the girders will be fixed on the flyover at the time of high tide since they are to be fixed in five meter deep water.

Asian Hercules is a joint venture between Keeper Fesis Ltd and Smit Singapore Pvt Ltd. The unique crane is being deployed for bridge construction for the first time in India.

The BWSL begins at Mahim interchange (junction of western expressway with S V road) at the northern end and concludes at Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Marg on the Worli sea face at the southern end. It connects Bandra to Worli by a four-km long sea bridge.